Language Major

Defending the English language one word at a time.

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Trump for Trump

About 4 months ago, when it looked like Ben Carson might actually unseat Donald Trump as the front runner for the Republican nomination, I made a comment to my co-workers that Trump is only in it for Trump. I knew he was a narcissistic windbag (and a short-fingered vulgarian). But I had recently watched a 30 for 30 documentary on ESPN about the USFL (Small Potatoes: Who Killed the USFL?). I was in high-school during the USFL years and had enjoyed watching the Tampa Bay Bandits, NJ Generals, Houston Gamblers, etc...play in the summer while waiting for my Dolphins to start the season. Football was life. What I didn't understand [spoiler alert!] was that Donald Trump, through his greed, narcissism, and poor judgement, killed the USFL. Trump was looking for ways to get Donald Trump more money and influence. He was trying to stick it to the NFL because they (in their good judgement) denied him a franchise. He moved the USFL into direct competition with the NFL and lost. Big.

I wish I had written about what I had told my co-workers at the time. Turns out, I didn't have to. His former top strategist admits: Trump was never in the nomination race to win. He was in it for second place, which would put him in place to make more money. Trump is only concerned with Trump. Not America. Not You. Not anyone whose name isn't Donald Trump.

Do him a favor and grant him his wish: don't vote for him. Let him come in second place.